Chennai: The success story of the animal ambulance service launched in five districts, as a pilot project has inspired the state government to consider extending it to 20 other districts in Tamil Nadu soon. The project awaiting approval from the state government, would be beneficial to the rural localities, which has no access to the medical facilities, said officials from the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (Tanuvas).
Dr Veeramani, assistant professor & head, farmers training centre, Kancheepuram, Tanuvas, said, “The pilot project by Tanuvas is now operational in five districts, Tiruchy, Erode, Thanjavur, Madurai, and Kancheepuram. We have been receiving four to five calls from each district every day.”
The ambulances, with a comprehensive first aid facility and hydraulic methods to shift animals to the hospitals can be contacted through a helpline number - 1962.
It was learnt that the neighbouring state, Andhra Pradesh would also be following Tamil Nadu in taking up the animal ambulance services. animal husbandry department would take over the project for the 20 other districts, he added.
Artificial insemination a hit:
Another programme by Tanuvas, which is aimed at the infertile cattle in rural villages is also gaining momentum, said officials. In the past six months, over 900 infertile animals from Tamil Nadu districts were given hormonal treatment, which turned beneficial to many.
“Cattle distributed for free three years ago by the state government suffered serious malnutrition. We have been conducting camps in the villages to conduct the hormonal treatment,” said Veeramani. Tanuvas conducted 30 camps in Kancheepuram and treated over 450 cattle, of which 280 of them became fertile.
